A Southport pensioner who spends his time and money rescuing cats has had his car fixed thanks to a social media appeal.

68-year-old Michael Govan, who has lived in the town all his life, has been saving cats and dogs from danger for almost 25 years.

Mike uses his limited income to pay for petrol to drive around looking for missing cats, as well as buying pet food to feed strays.

Mike has become well-known in the community and so when his car recently failed its MoT and he was told it would cost £100 for it to be fixed, local shop-owner Sheryl Flint posted a Facebook plea for people to help him.

Mike has been rescuing and feeding vulnerable animals for almost 25 years

Sheryl said: "Mike spends his time and money serving the community, nurturing these often scared and vulnerable animals.

"When his car was off the road, he would get the bus here, there and everywhere looking for missing cats and dogs and feeding strays.

"He does it all off his own bat and doesn't ask for any compensation. It was only right that we helped him in his hour of need, but we didn't tell him about the appeal."

Sheryl started a fund for Mike, with a money-box in her shop for people to make a donation, but thanks to the Facebook appeal, Mike's car was kindly fixed for free by Gary Pudge at Virginia Street garage, and Jamie Taplin at BH Motors.

Jamie said: "When we heard the good work Mike does we thought it was only right to sort his car out and get him back on the road."

The money raised in 'Mike's Fund' will now be given to him towards petrol and pet food.

If you would like to donate any money - or drop off some cat food - you can do so at: